Hearts at Seaside (Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #3)

She sighed, with the cutest pout on her lips. “Because what if we’re already out?”

He wrapped his arms around her. “So we come back for them. I will never understand how that brilliant mind of yours works, but I love how you see things that no one else does. The beauty of rocks, the way you pull things together until they calm your obsessions. I want to be your obsession, Jenna.” He smiled—though he was only partially teasing.

“You have been for years.” She went up on tiptoes, and he met her halfway for a sweet kiss. “So you don’t think my OCD will drive you crazy?”

“Never.”

“I’ll make us late to get-togethers.”

He shrugged. “Being on time is for losers.”

“I’ll make you come back home if I decide my earrings aren’t the right ones, even if we’re already late.”

He kissed her forehead. “And I’ll turn the truck around and come back without hesitation. Right, Joey?” He leaned down and pet the pup’s head. Joey rolled over so he could scratch her belly.

“I’ll organize your entire house and you won’t be able to find anything.” She bit her lower lip, her cheeks plumping with her smile.

“I’ll make you a key today.” He planned on paying a visit to his father’s store today, and he’d make her a key while he was there. He sealed his promise with a kiss.

Jenna took his hand and led him into the living room. Sun streaked through the window, warming the room. Pete’s chest tightened with the memory of their lovemaking on the sofa and their admissions of their feelings.

She took her keys from the hook by the door and removed the key to her cottage. “Make one of these for you, too. But I will warn you, there’s a price to pay.”

He arched a brow.

“Darn it. I wish I could think of something sexy to say.”

“Baby, you don’t have to say anything. You’re always sexy.” After another heart-thumping kiss, Jenna returned to her closet to choose a pair of sandals while Pete cooked breakfast.

She came out of the bedroom wearing a white tank top over her bikini. She flung her arms up in the air and thrust her hip to the side.

“Ta-da!” She lifted each foot and wiggled her toes.

His eyes never left her face. “Sheer perfection.”

She swatted his stomach, then reached into the cabinet for plates. “I meant the sandals, not me.”

“Wait, you have feet?” He dodged another swat and glanced at her tan leather sandals with white embellishments. “They’re perfect, too.” He filled their plates with scrambled eggs and toast.

“What time is your mom arriving?”

Jenna’s smile faltered. “Soon.”

He reached for her hand and felt tension in her movements as he held her against him. She took a deep breath and melted against him. Tension relieved. He loved that he could have that effect on her.

“Babe, if you want me to stick around for the morning, I’m happy to.” He’d planned on talking to his father this morning with the hopes of convincing him to get help without having to force the issue, but if Jenna needed him, he’d remain by her side.

“I’m fine. Really.” Her words were stilted.

She was definitely not fine.

He kissed her forehead. “Every time I’ve seen you with your mom, you got along well. Is she really that different now?” He’d met her mother several times over the years. She tended to dote on Jenna, and her pride in her daughter was apparent in the things she said and the look in her eyes. He couldn’t imagine how much things had changed for Jenna to look so conflicted. Then again, he never would have imagined his father changing so much, either.

“We still get along.”

“Why do you look so worried? I know she’s going through a hard time, but you were so sure of how we needed to be there for our parents.” He ran his hands along her hips, letting her know she wasn’t alone with her worries. “What are you not telling me?”

Jenna lowered her eyes to his chest. “She’s acting really weird. She talks about things I definitely don’t want to talk about with my mother, it’s…nothing. Forget it. It’s nothing.”

That nothing was filled with everything. He lifted her into his arms and set her on the counter, then stood between her legs so they were eye to eye. “Babe, you don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you, but I’m here if you want to. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”

Her brows drew together. “I’m fine. Really. She crosses lines these days, so I’ll just be careful how much I tell her.” She picked up a fork and filled it with egg, then offered it to Pete with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s eat before she gets here.”

They took their breakfasts onto the deck, and within minutes, Bella, Amy, and Leanna appeared, mugs in hand, wearing their bathing suits under sundresses. Amy dropped to her knees and loved up Joey.

“It’s about time.” Bella sat across from Pete. “Usually Jenna’s up early.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Amy swatted her leg and then went back to petting Joey. “Ignore her. She has no manners.”

Pete met Bella’s teasing stare with one of his own. “She was up early.” Jenna’s cheeks pinked up as she set her hand on his thigh.

“Finally, a man who can give it right back to you, Bella.” Leanna sipped her coffee and smiled at Bella from behind her mug.

“Ha-ha. I’m so glad you two are finally together. I swear, Pete. I thought we were going to have to hang a banner out front spelling it out for you.” Bella held her palms up, pressing them forward with each word. “Jenna. Likes. Pete.”

He laughed and finished his breakfast.

“Jenna, I was thinking that we should take your mom over to the library with us today.” Amy glanced at Jenna’s plate with an arched brow. “You cooked?”

“Petey did.”

“If I call you Petey, will you cook for me, too?” Leanna asked.

“No.” Jenna leaned in to his side. “I told him that I wasn’t the best cook around.”

He draped an arm over her shoulder. “But you’re the best at a million other things. Teamwork.” He shrugged to make it seem like he was well versed in relationships, when the truth was Jenna made everything feel natural. They’d fallen into sync so easily that he was beginning to think he wasn’t meant to have a meaningful relationship until they came together.

“Aw, you guys are so cute.” Amy sighed.

Pete rose to carry their empty plates inside, and Jenna reached for his hand.

“I’ll get them. You cooked; just relax.”